Tooth-cleaning device.



G. L. REENSTIERNA. TOOTH CLEANING DEVICE.

GUSTAJF LIBERT REENSTIERNA, OF CONGERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGN'OR 1'0 CLARKSONA.

.' COLLINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

' TOOTH-CLEANING DEVICE.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, t9l5.

Application filed October 6, 1910. Serial no. 585,617.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUs'rAF LIBERT RnENs- TIERNA, a citizen of theUnited States. residwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for frictionally cleaning the teeth,and the object of my improvements is to provide an inexpensive,efiicientand cleanly device for this purpose, which shall be convenient to use,and which shall not afford a breeding place for disease germs collectedfrom the mouth, as is the case with the ordinary bristle tooth brush,and hence shall be sanitary in character.

The invention will be best understood by describing it in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment thereof.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a perspective view of the device. Fig. 2shows a longitudinal, vertical section of the cleaning pad and end ofthe handle on the-line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a cross section of thesame on the line 3-3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of thecleaning pad. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the socketed end of thehandle. Fig. 6

shows a side elevation of the cleaning pad with a cleaning compoundapplied to the surface thereof.

Referring to the drawings, A, indicates a conveniently shaped handleprovided at one end, with a longitudinally extended socket, at, havingturned in or grooved sides, a, a, and adapted to receive and securelyhold the cleaning pad, B.

The cleaning pad, B, is formed of suitable absorbent material, (whichwill readily absorb water) such as blotting paper of rather densequality, and is of such size as to be removably inserted in the socket,a, and closely held between the sides, a, a. Preferably, in order toinsure the secure holding of the pad, B, in place, its sides are flaredoutwardly at thebottom, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to take under thesides, a, 0., or set into the grooves therein.

The upper, operative, surface of the pad, B, is preferably formed intransverse ridges, b, b, with correspondin intermediate grooves. Theupper ridge surface of the pad, B, is also preferably coated, if desiredto such an extent as to fill-the grooves between the ridges, with anysuitable toothcleaning paste shown at C, which is held in place byadhering to and being partially absorbed in the surface of the pad, B.This coating not only provides a convenient preparation but the pasteforms a dried protective coating which prevents injury to the teethengaging surface of the pad, and portions of which extend between theprojections 1; and prevent the breaking of the said projecting portionsthereof when the pad is dry and therefore brittle. If desired also thewhole of the pad, B, may be treated with any suitable antisepticsolution.

In using the device a pad, B, is inserted in the socket, a, of thehandle, A. Upon dipping the pad in the water, it immediately swells byreason of the absorption of moisture, and is firmly held between thesides,

a, a, during the operation of cleaning the -pleted, the pad, B, isremoved from'the socket, a, and discarded, a fresh pad being insertedfor each cleaning. In this manner the accumulation of filth, which as iswell known takes place in the ordinary tooth brush, and the consequentintroduction of disease germs in the mouth, is prevented, and anabsolutely sanitary means of cleaning the teeth is provided.

I term my improved pad a destructible pad as indicating that it-isdestroyed in the using and is not intended to be used more than once.

I am aware that it has been proposed to employ elastic tooth cleaningpads of felt of various kinds, and this I do not claim. Such pads,however, are composed of long fibers not in themselves absorbent butretaining moisture by adhesion or capillary action. My improved paperpadis solid and is composed of short vegetable fibers each ofwhich is initself absorbent, so that when the pad is moistened the fibers swellincreasing the bulk of the pad. and causing it to fit very tightly andrigidly in the handle socket, and

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catching between the teeth, as would be the case with the long feltfibers.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The herein described tooth cleaning device consisting of a solidnon-elastic pad provided with an operative tooth engaging face, said padbeing composed of short mutually adhering porous fibers of-paper stock,whereby any portions of the pad which are disintegrated in the mouthwhen the pad is used are easily washed away and will not becomeentangled in the teeth.

2. A destructible tooth cleaning pad composed of dry absorbent paper andhaving tooth engaging projecting portions upon its operative face, saidface being provided with a protecting coating of dried tooth cleaningpaste filling the interstices between the pro ecting portions of'saidface whereby subscribed my name, this 3d dayof October, 13'

GUSTAF LIBERT REENSTIERNA. Witnesses:

WILLIAM J. KINDGEN, CLARKsoN A. COLLINS.

